Latest news with #Widdup
Herald Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Forbes preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, August 3, 2025
Brad Widdup is a Group 1 winner and a leading provincial trainer but he is still a country boy at heart and loves getting back to his roots when the right opportunities are there. The Albury raised Widdup heads wet with a trio of capable runners ready to shine, none more so than High Dandy in the Bankstown Sports Forbes Cup (1600m) which is also a Big Dance Qualifier. The John Camilleri-bred and owned gelding has improved with each run this campaign starting off with a seventh to Nana's Wish at Canterbury before a fourth to Walking Painting and a second to Glad You Think So both in Randwick Midways over 1600m. 'He has taken a while to get to his peak for one reason or another but his last two runs have been really good,' said Widdup. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'Hopefully he can continue on with that now. The son of Camilleri's own Group 1 winner Ace High looks well placed in the Cup being a 71 rater with 56kg, just a kilo above the minimum. Heading the weight for the race is Another One with 65kg although he comes down to 62kg after the claim. 'He gets in well at the weights which is not often the case when you take a horse out to the country,' Widdup said. 'He has good Sydney form and the fact he gets quite a bit of weight off those couple of well-performed, higher benchmark rated horses, I would like to think he will be very competitive. Widdup has gained the services of Hawkesbury-based jockey Chad Lever who has been on great form since returning to the saddle late last year. 'I was surprised that he is going out there but when we seen his name down for some rides, we were lucky to be able to get him,' Widdup said. Widdup and lever will also team up with lightly-raced mare Initiate in the Walker Family Showcase Super Maiden Handicap (1300m). The four-year-old is closing in on her first win after a close second to Divo and third to Capital Jicinta at Wyong before a last start fourth behind Denial at Kembla. 'She is only a little filly but she tries very hard,' he said. 'She is probably still another preparation away from really being at her best but she is going well. 'Hopefully she can knock her maiden off this weekend. 'I don't think barrier eight is a bad draw for her. 'She's doesn't have real early toe so drawing there, hopefully she can slot in somewhere midfield or maybe a bit closer.' Widdup's final runner for the day is Party Doll in the Club Forbes Showcase Class 2 Handicap (1100m) who will be ridden by stable apprentice, Poppie Gorton. Gorton was having her first day riding at Bathurst two weeks ago when fourth on Party Doll. 'She drew awkward at Bathurst last start and was slow to begin before she took off around them,' said Widdup. 'She just did a lot of work but it was a good effort to finish where she did. 'She is better on top of the ground and is finding it hard to win a race but John (Camilleri, owner) has been good enough to give Poppie a couple of rides on her and her four kilo claim brings her into this race. 'Hopefully she can begin well and be in the race and I'm sure she will run really well if that's the case.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 3 No. 3: INITIATE Has strong provincial form and gets his chance to break through. NEXT BEST Race 4 No. 10: ZOUTASTIC Good win last start and can go back-to-back. VALUE BET Race 2 No. 11: LOST YA SOCK Nice efforts at both runs from a spell. Chance to break through. QUADDIE Race 5: 1, 4, 5 Race 6: 1, 2, 3 Race 7: 3, 11, 13 Race 8: 1, 5, 6, 7 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW CHAD LEVER has a strong book of rides and looks a top chance on the TAB Jockey Challenge. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ INSIDE MAIL – FORBES RACE 1: Shead & Nicholson / Daikin / Seeley International Country Boosted Mdn Plate 1100m CARAVANSERAI (1), the half-brother to Alizee and Astern, resumed for the Natalie Jarvis stable with a second to Spice Baby at Moruya when coming from well back on the turn. Will strip fitter for the run. PERFORMING DIVA (4) over did it in front on debut when fourth at Nowra. Took a sit and ran on well when second to Lombardi Lass at Goulburn. Resumes here and looks for a forward showing. RITA RED (5) has placed in three of her four runs this campaign and will be thereabouts again. Bet: Caravanserai to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 2: Bankstown Sports Since 1995 Showcase Mdn Plate 1600m LOST YA SOCK (11) resumed with a handy second behind Highland Eightgee over 1300m at Dubbo before leading when a half-length third to Gioia River at Corowa. Suited up to 1600m. DANTAINS PRIZE (7) finished close seconds at Narrandera and Wagga before missing the start by three lengths when seventh to Pride Of Jezza. Backed up six days later when fourth at Narrandera. PONTIAC (3) settled near last before motoring home to finish third to Darken over 1660m at Moruya last start. Bet: Lost Ya Sock to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 3: Walker Family Showcase Super Mdn Hcp 1300m INITIATE (3) followed a length second to the promising Divo with a third to Capital Jicinta at Wyong after being bumped at the start. Forced to race wide early when fourth to Denial at Kembla last start. Solid form for this. THE CONTRACTOR (2) was spelled after a neck fourth on debut at Dubbo on Apr 7. Handy third at Dubbo first-up then races wide and pulled up lame when fourth at Bathurst on July 21. BLACKFISH (6) makes his NSW debut for the Brett Robb stable. Has claims in three placings in Victoria. Bet: Initiate to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 4: Club Sydney The Amazing Ben Hall Bullet (Bm82) 1200m ZOUTASTIC (10) resumed with a fourth at Hawkesbury behind Regimental Colours who won at Randwick last weekend. Went to Grafton and scored a solid win from Stratafy. DEION (6) has had a long campaign but continues to race consistently with two wins and four placings from his last six starts. Led all-the-way to beat Eilrahc at Warren before a third to Smooth Esprit in the Coonamble Cannonball. Carried big weights last two starts and drops to 54kg. CASTLEBAR ROAD (3) was a month between runs when fourth to Durova over 1000m last start. Loves it heavy. Bet: Zoutastic to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 5: Forbes Shire Council Showcase Country Boosted (Bm58) 1400m SORRY SUNSHINE (1) ran home nicely under 61kg to beat Freddy's Shock over 1400m on a Heavy 10 at Wagga two starts back. Sat closer and laid out in the straight when fourth to Sunray Lass at Albury. STREET SWAGGER (5) is racing well with a win and two thirds. That Cowra win was his fourth from five ruins on heavy ground. MOTORBOAT (4) raced wide without cover when down the order behind Shropshire Lad in a Highway at Rosehill on July 19 at his first run for a new stable. Bet: Sorry Sunshine to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: Forbes Scrap Metal / Carlton & United Breweries Showcase Hcp (C1) 1400m DEEPWATER ARTIST (2) defied a betting drift from $5 out to $10 when he came with a closing run down the outside to beat Speed Of Thought over 1175m at Albury. His last 100m suggests he will appreciate the step up to 1400m. UNREAL EXPECTATION (1) followed back-to-back placings on the Acton track at Canberra with a handy win from Metal Magic over 1400m at Bathurst. THOUGHTFUL (3), a relation of fan favourite Happy Clapper, was fourth over 1100m in a Bm58 on the heavy at Goulburn last start. Blinkers off and nose roll on. Bet: Deepwater Artist to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: Bankstown Sports Forbes Cup 1600m HIGH DANDY (3) ran a nice fourth behind Walking Painting in a Midway at Randwick second-up. Led and just caught late when runner-up to Glad You Think So in another Randwick Midway. Drawn well and will give this a shake. LOUIE'S LEGACY (11) resumed in Federal Open at Canberra without a trial when a half-length second to Craving magic over 1280m. Stepped up to 1600m with a third to Hot Bandit in the Narrandera Cup. Is a winner on the heavy. 13. MORITZ GIRL (13) was doing her best late over 1400m on the Kensington last start. Loves the 1600m. Bet: High Dandy to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 8: Club Forbes Showcase Hcp (C2) 1100m ABSTRUSE (6) was held up rounding the home turn when a length third to Selhurst Park at Moruya before coming from a long way back when runner-up to Sutton Vella there last start both over 1010m. The 1100m helps. ROYAL BOMBADIER (7) raced ungenerously in the straight when resuming at Port Macquarie. Much better effort last start when a half-length second to Calido Magic at Gosford. PARTY DOLL (1) did it tough when fourth last start. Handy provincial form before that. Bet: Abstruse to win
Sydney Morning Herald
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Widdup chasing home track premiership in final meeting of season
Trainer Brad Widdup is banking on a strength of numbers to give him a successful day at Hawkesbury on Sunday as he chases his home track premiership. Widdup will have five runners in sits equal with the Annabel and Rob Archibald team for winners at the Clarendon course heading into the final meeting of the racing season. Widdup kicks off the day when Afloat lines up in the HRC Motel Provincial Maiden Handicap (1300m) with Christian Reith taking the ride. 'Afloat is a former Godolphin horse that we bought, and he's had a couple of solid trials for us leading into his first run for us,' said Widdup. 'He looks ready to run well fresh.' Tequisoda will contest the Blakes Marine Maiden Plate (1500m) with Reith also taking the ride. 'He's a Pierro colt that didn't have much go right for him at the start on debut at Wyong,' Widdup said. 'He's suited by the 1500m, and it looks a nice race for him on Sunday.'
The Age
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Widdup chasing home track premiership in final meeting of season
Trainer Brad Widdup is banking on a strength of numbers to give him a successful day at Hawkesbury on Sunday as he chases his home track premiership. Widdup will have five runners in sits equal with the Annabel and Rob Archibald team for winners at the Clarendon course heading into the final meeting of the racing season. Widdup kicks off the day when Afloat lines up in the HRC Motel Provincial Maiden Handicap (1300m) with Christian Reith taking the ride. 'Afloat is a former Godolphin horse that we bought, and he's had a couple of solid trials for us leading into his first run for us,' said Widdup. 'He looks ready to run well fresh.' Tequisoda will contest the Blakes Marine Maiden Plate (1500m) with Reith also taking the ride. 'He's a Pierro colt that didn't have much go right for him at the start on debut at Wyong,' Widdup said. 'He's suited by the 1500m, and it looks a nice race for him on Sunday.'
Courier-Mail
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Gosford preview: Sneaky Choice aims for repeat victory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer Brad Widdup is hoping history repeats for pint-sized filly Sneaky Choice. Widdup sent Sneaky Choice to Gosford for a 1000m race on debut and the daughter of Extreme Choice tracked the leader before running down Miss Judas to score by three-quarters of a length. Spelled after a sixth at Goulburn, Sneaky Choice returns to the Central Coast for the TEG Tradies Day 29 August 2025 Class 1 Handicap over the 1000m. Jockey Grant Buckley, who was aboard for her debut win, will again partner the three-year-old. 'She is only very little but she did a really good job to win on debut,' said Widdup. 'Where going back to where she won and hopefully she can do it again. Trainer Brad Widdup is chasing a two-year-old win with You're The Choice. Picture: Grant Guy The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'She's only had the one trial this time in so she is obviously open to improvement but I thought this was a good starting point for her.' Widdup is hoping well-bred filly You're The Choice can claim a late season two-year-old win and a BOBS bonus when she resumes in the Central Coast Locksmiths Provincial Maiden Plate (1000m) where she has drawn barrier 6 with apprentice Mitch Stapleford aboard. The two-year-old made her debut at Newcastle over 900m back on February 15 where she finished a head second behind Frostfire. She then took a big jump in grade when Widdup sent her out in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick. After racing keenly she finished down the order behind Within The Law. 'She was quite good on debut so we gave her a run in the Sweet Embrace,' Widdup said. 'She is a nice filly and has come back in good order this preparation. 'I expect her to run well first-up from a good draw.' A two-year-old win will increase her future broodmare value. The filly is a daughter of Golden Slipper Farnan from a half-sister to Group 1 Blue Diamond winner and top sire, Extreme Choice. Widdup also has Gladstone Grande in the same race but will likely save him for Maiden Plate at Hawkesbury the following day. The gelding has only had one run, in the Kirkham Plate at Randwick on October 26 where he was last of the six runners behind Comedy. 'I will likely split them up,' he said 'Even though he has drawn worse at Hawkesbury he will probably go there. 'I had a throw at the stumps in the Kirkham. I may not have been the right thing but it gave him some experience. 'He is still mentally immature but I have been happy enough with him in his trial. 'If the brings that to the races, he should be competitive.' Widdup also has two options with the promising Tequisoda this weekend – Gosford and Hawkesbury. The two-year-old is entered for the Consolidated Panels & Veneers 2&3YO Maiden Plate (1600m) at Gosford and a Maiden Plate at Hawkesbury over 1500m. 'He will likely go around at Hawkesbury on Sunday but I will wait until I see if there are any scratchings at Gosford,' Widdup said. 'If it ends up a small field, he may head that way.' The son of Pierro was gallant in defeat on debut over 1300m at Wyong where he finished a length-and-the-quarter second behind Sapling who is one of the favourites in the opening race at Rosehill. 'He ran enormous on debut,' he said. 'He was a smidgen slow out but then he got a buffeted and settled a fair way off the leader. 'That's not ideal for a horse having its first start so he did a very good job to finish as close as he did.'
